Frugality Hall Of Fame

[TromboneAl]

This book worked for us:

Amazon.com: Scissors and Comb Haircutting: A Cut-By-Cut Guide for Home Haircutters: Books: Bob Ohnstad

It's available at libraries.

Heck, for me personally, I keep looking at ways to reduce my upcoming heating bills.

Have you checked out wood heating?

 

[RunningBum]

I think the question was more on what brand of trimmer worked best, not the need for the instruction video. From reviews I've read, Wahl seems to make good ones for the money, is that what others are using? And they do provide an instruction video with their kits, at around that price (actually just under $30 at Target for a kit I'm looking at).

I'm interested to know as well if Wahl is the brand others are using without problems. I don't want to get a cheap one that pulls hair or clogs or overheats after 5 minutes.

 

[TargaDave]

I think the question was more on what brand of trimmer worked best, not the need for the instruction video. From reviews I've read, Wahl seems to make good ones for the money, is that what others are using? And they do provide an instruction video with their kits, at around that price (actually just under $30 at Target for a kit I'm looking at).

I'm interested to know as well if Wahl is the brand others are using without problems. I don't want to get a cheap one that pulls hair or clogs or overheats after 5 minutes.

I just bought a Conair barber sheer at Walmart. Who knows what they carry now. Don't remember how much it cost. Going on 3 years now with no issues. Instruction video?! Just snap the attachment in and buzz away. To get fancy I use #4 for the sides and #6 for the top. [My definition of looking good is keeping the bod in reasonable shape and not worrying too much about the fashion statement. Always amused by the guys with the perfect fitting designer clothes mated to a 48 inch waist].

 

[rockyj]

II'm interested to know as well if Wahl is the brand others are using without problems. I don't want to get a cheap one that pulls hair or clogs or overheats after 5 minutes.

DW has been using a Wahl on me for years. No problems with the equipment.

It's actually kind of nice to have her do it. A bit of togetherness. Kind of like the monkey families preening each other on Discovery channel.

 

[LeatherneckPA]

Timing my bio-cycle so that I will need to use the toilet while at the office, in order to save on water and toilet paper from home.

Not only that, but somehow it's more satisfying to think that you are getting paid to briefly do to them what they are doing to you all of the time.

 

[LeatherneckPA]

Barber sheers with a #6 attachment. Just buzz the whole head myself and vacuum up the mess. Walmart jeans and tee's. [DW and DD's have accepted my disregard for fashion and compensate accordingly]

DAVE!! my brother of a different mother! Although I use two clippers, a #6 for the crown and a #2 for everything else. But wal-Mart only carries my waist size in short guy lengths. So I buy my jeans from Tractor Supply.

 

[LeatherneckPA]

If it's yellow, it's mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.

I grew up with that one. Our water was supplied by a spring. In deep summer,to avoid running out of drinking water, if you were going to foul the yellow you had to go to the creek and fetch a 5 gal bucket of water first.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

DW has been using a Wahl on me for years. No problems with the equipment.

It's actually kind of nice to have her do it. A bit of togetherness. Kind of like the monkey families preening each other on Discovery channel.

So maybe that's why DH still wants me to cut his hair. Nah, he's just too "frugal". I use Whal clippers on the dog, but never used them on DH. Just use a good pair of shears...from Sally's Beauty Supply.

 

[Martha]

DW has been using a Wahl on me for years. No problems with the equipment.

It's actually kind of nice to have her do it. A bit of togetherness. Kind of like the monkey families preening each other on Discovery channel.

 

[calmloki]

So maybe that's why DH still wants me to cut his hair. Nah, he's just too "frugal". I use Whal clippers on the dog, but never used them on DH. Just use a good pair of shears...from Sally's Beauty Supply.

I shop Sally's Beauty come gifty time 'cause it's nice to have things pre-labled. The spendy shears i got the gal from there (gold plated yet) are not as good as the cheapos i had the professional sharpen. And yes, there is a minkey-like joy in having your honey preen you.

 

[packrat44]

I'm in my mid 30's. I still drive the car I got when I was 15, and it was 10 years old then.

In 1962 I bought a 1936 Ford coupe and in 1972 I bought my first and only new car for myself, a Datsun 240Z. I still have both of them.

 

[packrat44]

At one time I thought I was frugal (my DW says I am cheap). However, after reading this thread, I realize I am actually a spendthrift.

 

[laurence]

I am not frugal. However I do cut my own hair about 75% the time, then hit fantastic sam's in between to get the lines evened out. Been doing that for years.

DW saves all the plastic containers (especially large yogurt containers) to use for my packed lunches. If I forget it at work, oh well.

I drew the line when our silverware drawer was overflowing with plastic forks missing 1, 2 and even 3 tines. Come on!

DW separates the recycled out for stuff she can redeem for $$, the rest goes in the blue bin. I'm always fighting the sprinkler timer war with her. I always know last months water bill was up because the lawn starts to brown.

Oh, on the gross side, we maximize bathroom use per flush, multiple "mellows".

 

[megacorp-firee]

At one time I thought I was frugal (my DW says I am cheap). However, after reading this thread, I realize I am actually a spendthrift.

ME TOO. ... my kids call me and DW cheap too... but you all make me look like a drunken sailor (my apologies to our navy contingent and naval vets).
I realize you all wear your frugality as a badge of pride and honor, but even you all have to admit ... it's a bit overboard.
... but as I always say, each to his (or her) own. As long you don't yell at me if I flush.

 

[Khan]

Many things that I consider SOP, other people consider extreme.

Winter temp:60F, 50 at night

Summer temp 85-90 depending on humidity

Never use A/C at night

I don't have a dryer
-------------------------
OTOH: have a large purring cat on my lap (probably an unjustified expense)

 

[RunningBum]

Many things that I consider SOP, other people consider extreme.

Winter temp:60F, 50 at night

Summer temp 85-90 depending on humidity

Never use A/C at night

I don't have a dryer
-------------------------
OTOH: have a large purring cat on my lap (probably an unjustified expense)

I go 55 night, 57 day, but use a space heater for the room I'm in, and an electric mattress pad at night.

No A/C in my house in the mountains, there's only a few days where it'd be nice to have, and nights almost always cool down. In Texas, I'm usually the last holdout in the neighborhood for A/C, but 80-82 is as high as I'll go when it's on.

I bought a Wahl hair trimmer last night, $30 less DD's Target employee discount. Trimmed my hair tonight. It's a bit tougher than I thought to make sure you get it all, and it was a bit tricky around the ears. I'm sure I'll get better at it. I figure if I trim it every 3 weeks I probably won't miss the same spot twice and it won't get too bad, and I can hit the barber every few months if I think I need a pro's touch.

 

[TromboneAl]

Winter temp:60F, 50 at night

Can you really sit at a computer for hours at that temperature? I could in the past, but now I'm a cold-sissy. It's usually about 60 in the morning, but I surf the net in front of the wood stove until the room warms up. Otherwise my hands get super cold.

Note that our heating is free, 'cause I cut my own firewood.

 

[Khan]

Can you really sit at a computer for hours at that temperature? I could in the past, but now I'm a cold-sissy. It's usually about 60 in the morning, but I surf the net in front of the wood stove until the room warms up. Otherwise my hands get super cold.

Note that our heating is free, 'cause I cut my own firewood.

50F is for when I'm in bed.

60F is okay for my hands. I've experimented with lowering it, but my hands and ears get cold.

There's a space heater in the bathroom and a cup warmer next to the computer.

I wonder if it would save money to turn down the thermostat (NG, hot water) and use an electric radiant heater for the computer alcove?

Anyone have a formula to plug in local utility numbers?

 

[DRiP Guy]

Anyone "borrow" wifi?

I have some new neighbors and they rang my bell recently and asked if I would mind sharing the key to my wifi. They can see the signal but were mildly miffed that it was encrypted.

They paid cash for a 300K house and then did another 100K of upgrades - I guess this is how they saved up for those purchases?

My neighbors who I rarely see asked me the same thing -- then went away miffed when I told them I only used wired connections here at home, due to concerns over security with banking and such.

 

[Culture]

50F is for when I'm in bed.

60F is okay for my hands. I've experimented with lowering it, but my hands and ears get cold.

There's a space heater in the bathroom and a cup warmer next to the computer.

I wonder if it would save money to turn down the thermostat (NG, hot water) and use an electric radiant heater for the computer alcove?

Anyone have a formula to plug in local utility numbers?

My father, who is the king of frugal, has a small room in his trailer house with a small window unit and space heater. This room contains his tv, computer, bookcases and recliner (that is all that fits) This is the only room he heats and cools unless he has company, which is rare. He pretty much stays in this room except when sleeping, cooking, or working outside.

 

[DRiP Guy]

Barber sheers with a #6 attachment. Just buzz the whole head myself and vacuum up the mess. Walmart jeans and tee's. [DW and DD's have accepted my disregard for fashion and compensate accordingly]

My 'recipe':

1) #4 everywhere,
2) #3 nape of neck & around sides,
3) #2 base of neck, quick zip around the ears.
​

Total time = 3 minutes every month or two
Total cost = $26.00 for clipper kit 3 years ago, have at least three more years in them, < $5.00/yr).

Savings from my prior 20 years of habit of a cut a month at Supercuts or Crazy Ed's House of Locks ($12.00+3.00 tip = $15), (180/yr - 5/yr clippers) = $175/yr savings.

That's more than the earnings from a 6% $2,500 CD.

 

[TromboneAl]

Any of you clipper users care to post a photo?

 

[CyclingInvestor]

My 'recipe':

1) #4 everywhere,
2) #3 nape of neck & around sides,
3) #2 base of neck, quick zip around the ears.
​

Total time = 3 minutes every month or two
Total cost = $26.00 for clipper kit 3 years ago, have at least three more years in them, < $5.00/yr).

Savings from my prior 20 years of habit of a cut a month at Supercuts or Crazy Ed's House of Locks ($12.00+3.00 tip = $15), (180/yr - 5/yr clippers) = $175/yr savings.

That's more than the earnings from a 6% $2,500 CD.

Same here, except #2 everywhere

 

[RunningBum]

Any of you clipper users care to post a photo?

 

[calmloki]

Ah. Reverse bowl cut.